Cameron Cutie Explained

Cameron Cutie was a political term used in the UK to refer to female prospective parliamentary candidates and Members of Parliament (MPs) for the 2010 general election from the Conservative Party who were personally supported by then-party leader David Cameron.[1] The term emerged in 2009,[2] and was seen as a Conservative version of the more prominent Blair Babe.[3]

Promoting women candidates was a way of reaching female voters similar to the means by which New Labour won their 1997 landslide.[4] As part of his party's modernisation programme, Cameron advocated for more female MPs.[5] A male equivalent was coined as a "mate of Dave".[6]

Some grassroots activists resented that David Cameron personally selected female parachute candidates for winnable seats.[7] There were female members of the Conservative A-List, priority candidates that were selected for the general election.[8] Mayor of Antrim Adrian Watson said he was overlooked for being the Ulster Conservatives and Unionist candidate in South Antrim for not being a "Cameron cutie".[9]

The term was derided in the media when a number of sex scandals were reported on including some of the candidates.[10] The term was used frequently in the media coverage of the Westminster North Conservative Association selection in 2009 between Joanne Cash and Amanda Sayers, two female lawyers.[11]

List

The following politicians have been described with the label:

!Name!Constituency in 2010!Election!Other
Kemi Badenoch[12] Dulwich and West Norwood Defeated by Tessa JowellElected in Saffron Walden in the 2017 general election
Joanne Cash[13] Westminster North Defeated by Karen Buck
Caroline Dinenage[14] Gosport Elected - Conservative holdMinister under Cameron, May and Johnson
Deborah Dunleavy[15] Bolton North East Defeated by Sir David Crausby
Laura Hutchings[16] The former director of the Conservative Middle East Council
Keely Huxtable[17] Birmingham Northfield Defeated by Richard Burden
Louise Mensch[18] Corby Elected - Defeated Labour MP Phil HopeStood down midterm triggering the 2012 Corby by-election
Caroline Nokes[19] Romsey and Southampton North Elected - Defeated Lib Dem MP Sandra GidleyCabinet minister under Theresa May
Claire Perry O'Neill[20] Devizes Elected - Conservative holdCabinet minister under Theresa May
Amber Rudd[21] Hastings and Rye Elected - Defeated Labour MP Michael FosterCabinet minister under David Cameron and Theresa May
Chloe Smith[22] Norwich North Elected - Gain from LabourElected in the 2009 Norwich North by-election
Liz Truss[23] South West Norfolk Elected - Conservative holdFuture prime minister, defeated in the 2024 election.[24]
Sarah Wollaston[25] Totnes Elected - Conservative holdDefected to Change UK and Liberal Democrats in 2019

Reception

The term Cameron Cutie was described as sexist.[26] Rachel Johnson did not like the term.[27] Mark Wallace called it an objectionable term and "an even more patronising version of 'Blair's babes'".[28]

Louise Mensch described herself as a feminist instead of a Cameron Cutie.[29]

Following the 2015 general election, new MP Andrea Jenkyns called herself "feisty Yorkshirewoman" rather than a Cameron Cutie.[30]

In 2022, David Cameron called the usage of the term "embarrassing" in an opinion piece.[31]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: White . Michael . 2009-12-16 . How I helped the Tories pick their candidate for Cambridge . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-06-27 . 0261-3077 . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195113/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/dec/16/michael-white-tories-cambridge-candidate . live .
  2. News: Ferguson . Euan . 2009-10-24 . All-women shortlists for the Tory party? Rubbish idea, Dave . en-GB . The Observer . 2023-06-27 . 0029-7712 . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195113/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/oct/25/euan-ferguson-women-shortlists . live .
  3. Mavin . Sharon . Bryans . Patricia . Cunningham . Rosie . October 2010 . Fed-up with Blair's babes, Gordon's gals, Cameron's cuties, Nick's nymphets : Challenging gendered media representations of women political leaders . Gender in Management . 25 . 7 . 10.1108/17542411011081365 . 22 July 2021.
  4. News: Wilkinson . Helen . 2009-11-19 . Has Cameron sealed the deal with women? . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-06-27 . 0261-3077 . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195113/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/nov/19/cameron-women-mumsnet-policy . live .
  5. Web site: 2011-05-31 . 'Cameron cutie' will not stand at next election . 2023-06-28 . The Bolton News . en . 2023-07-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230701023534/https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/9056314.cameron-cutie-will-not-stand-at-next-election/ . live .
  6. Web site: 2012-04-12 . Who would be a Cameron cutie, or even just a MoD (mate of Dave's?) . 2023-06-27 . Evening Standard . en . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195123/https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/who-would-be-a-cameron-cutie-or-even-just-a-mod-mate-of-dave-s-6709393.html . live .
  7. Web site: Are the Tories only looking for 'cutie' candidates? . 2023-06-27 . . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195113/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/7231474/Are-the-Tories-only-looking-for-cutie-candidates.html . live .
  8. Web site: 2012-10-05 . Tories quietly drop David Cameron's 'A-list' . 2023-06-27 . The Independent . en . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195113/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tories-quietly-drop-david-cameron-s-alist-for-minority-candidates-8199985.html . live .
  9. News: 2010-04-01 . Adrian Watson: Ousted because I wasn't a Cameron cutie . en-GB . . 2023-06-27 . 0307-1235 . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195113/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/adrian-watson-ousted-because-i-wasnt-a-cameron-cutie/28527178.html . live .
  10. News: Hurst . Greg . 2023-06-27 . Tory cutie and head 'caught in bed' . . en . 2023-06-27 . 0140-0460 . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195115/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tory-cutie-and-head-caught-in-bed-sbzdr2jdfk0 . live .
  11. Web site: Joanne Cash: the Conservative cutie causing a stir . 2023-06-27 . . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195118/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/7207016/Joanne-Cash-the-Conservative-cutie-causing-a-stir.html . live .
  12. Web site: Unknown . 2010-08-15 . TEDxEuston: Kemi Adegoke speaks at TEDxEuston . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195123/http://tedxeuston.blogspot.com/2010/08/kemi-adegoke-speaks-at-tedxeuston.html . 2023-06-27 . 2023-06-27 . TEDxEuston.
  13. Web site: 2012-04-10 . Joanne Cash concedes defeat with rant at the press . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601163543/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/joanne-cash-concedes-defeat-with-rant-at-the-press-6466737.html . 2023-06-01 . 2023-06-27 . Evening Standard . en.
  14. Web site: Drake . Matthew . 2013-06-29 . 'Cameron cutie' Caroline Dinenage dumps husband to date Tory MP Mark Lancaster who walked out on baby . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191230144041/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/caroline-dinenage-mark-lancaster-cameron-2011834 . 2019-12-30 . 2023-06-27 . The Mirror . en.
  15. Web site: Wright . Simon . 2010-04-10 . 'David Cameron Cutie' Deborah Dunleavy had fling with boss . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195113/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/david-cameron-cutie-deborah-dunleavy-213963 . 2023-06-27 . 2023-06-27 . The Mirror . en.
  16. Web site: Cameron cutie' Laura Hutchings finds love in Middle East . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195120/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/8918049/Cameron-cutie-Laura-Hutchings-finds-love-in-Middle-East.html . 2023-06-27 . 2023-06-27 . The Daily Telegraph.
  17. Web site: David Cameron cutie 'caught naked with married headmaster' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195114/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/11339634/Cameron-cutie-caught-naked-with-married-headmaster.html . 2023-06-27 . 2023-06-27 . The Daily Telegraph.
  18. News: Chittenden . Maurice . 2023-06-27 . Mensch quit to avoid poll drubbing, says husband . en . . live . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195117/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mensch-quit-to-avoid-poll-drubbing-says-husband-bwwrzdkrpnv . 2023-06-27 . 0140-0460.
  19. Web site: Police handed video recording of 'Cameron cutie' MP and her lover . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195113/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/7842044/Police-handed-video-recording-of-Cameron-cutie-MP-and-her-lover.html . 2023-06-27 . 2023-06-27 . www.telegraph.co.uk.
  20. Web site: Love split 'Cameron cutie' Claire Perry is inspired at Cambridge University . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195123/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10122671/Love-split-Cameron-cutie-Claire-Perry-is-inspired-at-Cambridge-University.html . 2023-06-27 . 2023-06-27 . www.telegraph.co.uk.
  21. News: Reporters . Telegraph . 2016-07-13 . Who is Amber Rudd? A profile of Britain's Home Secretary . en-GB . The Telegraph . live . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230409162912/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/who-is-amber-rudd-a-profile-of-britains-new-home-secretary/ . 2023-04-09 . 0307-1235.
  22. News: 2009-07-24 . Profile: Chloe Smith . en-GB . live . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230130000828/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8166769.stm . 2023-01-30.
  23. Web site: Mirror.co.uk . 2009-10-28 . Points of disorder: Liz Truss . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195115/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/points-of-disorder-liz-truss-427585 . 2023-06-27 . 2023-06-27 . mirror . en.
  24. Web site: Watch: Slow hand claps for Liz Truss as former PM loses seat . 2024-07-22 . BBC News . en-GB.
  25. News: Glover . Julian . 2010-03-20 . Tories 2.0: Cameron's new breed . en-GB . The Guardian . live . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200111001701/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/mar/20/new-tories-cameron-conservatives-election . 2020-01-11 . 0261-3077.
  26. News: Kinchen . Rosie . 2023-06-27 . Joanne Cash: Fancy some casual sexism, boys? Become an MP . . en . 2023-06-27 . 0140-0460 . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195113/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/joanne-cash-fancy-some-casual-sexism-boys-become-an-mp-3rp2xfx7sdf . live .
  27. News: 7 October 2011 . British women 'utterly fed up' with politics and media . en-GB . . 2023-06-27 . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195113/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-15213725 . live .
  28. Web site: Wallace . Mark . 2015-01-14 . 'Cameron's cuties' - where are they now? . 2023-06-27 . Conservative Home . en-GB . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195123/https://conservativehome.com/2015/01/14/camerons-cuties-where-are-they-now/ . live .
  29. Web site: Louise Bagshawe: I'm no Cameron Cutie, but a feminist . 2023-06-27 . www.telegraph.co.uk . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195123/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/7560848/Louise-Bagshawe-Im-no-Cameron-Cutie-but-a-feminist.html . live .
  30. Web site: Meet the new Conservative women MPs - just don't call them 'Cameron's cuties' . 2023-06-27 . . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195123/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11621387/Meet-the-new-Conservative-women-MPs-just-dont-call-them-Camerons-cuties.html . live .
  31. Web site: Cameron . David . 2024-07-23 . David Cameron: We were all white men — so I did something about diversity . 2024-07-23 . www.thetimes.com . en.

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